The best kind of love develops over time. Qing Yao and Claire first met in college but love did not bloom at that point in time. They worked together on a project which gave them the opportunity to get to know one another a little better, but that was all there was to it then. Ending up in the same university in Melbourne was the turning point.
It was there that Qing Yao asked Claire out on a date on his birthday so she couldn’t say no! Their first date couldn’t be more perfect in Claire’s eyes. It wasn’t just the Japanese meal, movie or drink thereafter that closed the deal… it was how compatible they were, sharing similar values and ideas, and never encountering an awkward silence!
One thing that has made a huge impact on Claire since that first date is how Qing Yao has encouraged her to chase her dream of owning a fashion empire in the future. Just by doing that, he has given her the assurance that he’s committed to fully supporting her as they start this journey as husband and wife. We wish them both all the love and good wishes on this journey, and we’re so glad we got to be a part of their wedding!
When Aflaah left his home country Maldives for studies in Malaysia, he might not have imagined that he would one day come back with a wife. It all started 9 years ago in college and they have been together ever since. When they started working, they also began a long distance relationship that lasted 4 years. It’s never easy maintaining a long distance relationship, but they made it work by finding time for each other. They travelled back and forth whenever they had the chance.
And when they were apart, they focused on their careers and growth as individuals. On hindsight, Aflaah and Cher Waye felt that this time apart made their relationship stronger as they discovered new and exciting things about each other. Now they live in Maldives (gasp, surrounded by the deep blue sea!). Travelling and food are their greatest passions, so I asked them what holidays are like for them since they are already living in holiday paradise. They replied, no beach holidays for them! Haha so I guess that was why they chose the green Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat as the venue for their pre-wedding photo shoot.
Yee Ming and I have a long history together, from our primary school days in Malacca. As childhood friends, we used to play hide and seek together. Four years ago, when her daughter was born, I flew to JB to photograph some family portraits. I rarely get to see Yee Ming anymore since I hardly travel back to Malacca, but I was honoured that she asked me to fly in to Singapore to photograph her husband, Boon Hock’s extended family.
We went to East Coast Park for our shoot, but on a weekend, it was packed to the brim with people! It was pretty challenging trying to find corners to shoot without someone walking into my frame. But from the photos below, you might have thought that we had the entire park to ourselves!
Darryl and Diana tied the knot a few years ago and had Kate shortly after, but they didn’t get a chance to take maternity or newborn photos then as she was born premature and sent to the ICU. But look at how she has grown! She will be receiving a baby sister soon, and I can’t wait to meet her as well during our newborn session. During our session together, I was warned that Kate may not take too easily to strangers, but thank God she liked my smiley face. :) I love how this set of images turned out.
It began a long, long time ago in 1997, when they were just 7 years of age. On the second day of school, he kicked her in the butt when she annoyed him, which was a very interesting start to a ‘beautiful’ and colourful relationship. Since then, every time they met at school, they would fight and scream at each other, until friends had to intervene. This was almost a daily occurrence, as they could not stand the presence of each other. To make matters worse, as if it was not bad enough, they suddenly discovered that they were attending the same Sunday School. All hell broke loose. This chaos went on for years, until the year 2003.
That March, his family shifted away from PJ, leaving her behind. He was enrolled to a boy’s school, while she continued to go to her regular school. During this period of absence and peace, both of them hit puberty.
At the end of every year, he would come down to PJ during the school holidays. During that period, he would still attend Sunday School where he would bump into his long time enemy and arch nemesis and the fighting will start.
However, towards the end of 2005, things took a sharp turn, as he matured and became less volatile. It was then too that he suddenly felt a slight and unexplainable attraction towards her. He was astonished to see all those incredible changes she went through during puberty. It was as though she had just morphed into this beautiful and very attractive teenager.
It was during these moments that he decided to once and for all put an end to all their constant fighting and arguing. He took the first step by composing an apology letter for her. This incredible gesture, left a very deep and positive impression on her, as she accepted the letter. They became friends and in 2007, started a real and beautiful love relationship.
